A Boy Scout troop leader was killed in a freak accident involving a homemade rocket during the Boy Scouts of America's annual Rocket Rave event in Johnson Valley on Saturday, authorities said.

Michael Bentley, 50, of Highland was watching the skies for a homemade rocket launched by a friend when he lost sight of the rocket and its direction of travel, and it struck him in the face, according to the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

The incident occurred in the Giant Rock off-vehicle area at about 12:09 p.m.

Bentley was airlifted to Desert Regional Hospital in Palm Springs but died from his injuries during surgery.

The investigation is ongoing. Commercial and homemade hobby-model rockets were launched at the scout-sanctioned event, authorities said.